asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the absence of democratic Government in that country, he has considered reviewing the extradition agreement with Greece.

Our extradition arrangements with Greece are governed by the European Convention on Extradition to which both countries are parties. The grounds for refusal of extradition provided for in that Convention are adequate to enable extradition to be refused in an appropriate case.

Is the Minister satisfied that the Greek courts are independent and that since Greece is no longer a democracy, an extradition order coming from that country would be such that our standards of justice would be complied with in arriving at a decision to seek extradition?

As I said, the grounds for refusal of extradition provided for in the convention are adequate to enable extradition to be refused in an appropriate case but it is hardly for me to decide in a blanket statement on the matter now.

Would the fact that Greece is not a democracy mean that most cases would be considered inappropriate?

It is usually a matter for the courts to decide in extradition cases. There are only about two dozen democracies and 130 nations in the UN.